Elowyn Dickerson: Illustrator / Digital Artist / Real Life Sweetheart / Actual Fairy-Tale Princess

Sagewolf Interviews

@elowyn.makes.art
@studiovanness
@artbyelowyn.collection
@elowyn.skates.too
artbyelowyn.com
The scene:
We are in Elowyn’s gorgeous art studio, which is in a historic building called Studio Van Ness in downtown Fresno. She shares it with a tax business. This is a fantastic contrast to her amazing, whimsical illustration style. Her art is so dreamy and so engaging, I feel like I’m in an actual fairy tale with an actual princess. Elowyn is her art. It’s refreshing to see someone creating so true to themselves. Join us in her sun-filled studio as we talk about making it as an artist through Instagram and Tik Tok, creating art for yourself, and mental health honesty.
Highlights:
+ Living the dream, and being proud of it
+ Self-motivated pieces
+ Serving the community with your art and not keeping all the wealth
+ Posting every day to every platform, enjoying social media, and getting off your phone
+ Being tough on yourself
+ Knowing what you want to put out in the world and honing in on your own aesthetic
+ Loving women, whimsy, and magical nymphs
+ Prioritizing art from the heart
+ Illustrator by degree, Fine Artist by choice
+ Illustration is: the artistic interpretation of words. Obvious imagery, not abstraction
+ Commercial work pays the bills
+ An artist since the womb, business artist since 18
+ Selling doesn’t legitimize art
+ “Gatekeeping” is a trending term a.k.a. scarcity mentality
+ Artists are obsessed with being unique and similar styles are a compliment
+ No bad vibes, just create your art
+ Artwork theft is real
+ Struggling with mental health
+ Using art to help others experience more joy
+ “Toxic positivity” = pretending like nothing’s wrong
+ Taking responsibility for being part of the solution
+ Managing “negativity boundaries”
+ Lifelong chronic anxiety without depression
+ Therapy and medication and developing coping skills
+ Thriving in life and not being scared anymore
+ Growing up in Clovis and leaving for private art school in Oakland
+ #arthopfresno is the first Thursday of each month on Fulton St.
+ Pretentious unwelcoming art scenes
+ Choosing your place for your art and family communities
+ Owning a house someday
+ Downtown Fresno has so much character - these are my people
+ The importance of safety and Maslow’s Hierarchy
+ The psychology of homelessness and compassion towards others who are without
+ The system is failing us all which neutralizes the “I’ve got mine” mentality
+ Appreciating others’ differences
+ Using anxiety for motivation: your crutch can be your super power
+ Depressed people are more empathetic
+ Living in a smaller town makes you shine
+ Financial independence
+ Acknowledging codependence
+ Artists are often exploited: knowing your worth
+ Being selfless for others makes no self left - #boundaryqueen
+ Living life day-by-day
+ Working towards being comfortable in your own skin
A taste:
“If someone does a similar style to you, you don’t have to be jealous or angry about it. Be like, ‘that’s sick, that’s nice, I have a kindred spirit out there.’ I’m not talking about straight-up copying but being inspired by each other is what it’s all about.”
Favorite saying:
“It’s ok to be in an uncomfortable place, as long as you’re m

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Love, Sagewolf xoxo